Celebrating 350 Years of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society

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This month marks a milestone in modern scientific publishing.  Back when science was called Natural Philosophy and the practice of medicine straddled the line between alchemy and butchery, the Royal Society started publishing (what is considered) the first peer-reviewed scientific journal. Volume 1 of Philosophical Transactions: Giving Some Accompt of the Present Undertakings, Studies, and Labours of the Ingenious in Many Considerable Parts of the World (as it was fully titled) was published 350 years ago this month.

The journal, which started as the Royal Society’s secretary Henry Oldenburg’s pet-project, was intended to communicate the most current information to society members and other scientifically minded readers. Since it’s first appearance in 1665, Philosophical Transactions has continued publication through plagues, wars, competition, and scandal. Continue reading →

Liquid Biopsy Breakthrough for Early Stage Cancer Detection

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Professor Dennis Yuk Ming Lo, associate dean of medicine at Chinese University, has developed a new method called liquid biopsy, which he claims can detect many kinds of cancer at a very early stage. Lo’s method decodes millions of DNA fragments in a human’s blood with the use of a DNA-sequencing machine. The results are then compared to that of a normal human genome or a complete set of human DNA. Researchers can now spot rearranged DNA patterns – a significant sign of a tumor. The liquid biopsy technology, cited by MIT Technology Review, is the result of over 20 years of research.

Meet the Newly Named National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

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The National Institutes of Health agency responsible for scientific research on the diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine has a new name–the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

Formerly the NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), the NCCIH still offers the same level of quality health information in the field of complementary and alternative medical/health (CAM) practices. One of the NCCIH main focuses is on conducting research that encourages self-care methods that support healthier lifestyles and uncovers potential usefulness and safety issues of natural products. The practices and products studied by the NCCIH are prioritized by four guiding principles: scientific promise, amenability to be studied using the highest quality research methods, use by the American public, and the potential impact on public health.

For a list of other reliable CAM websites and databases, search the Library website‘s MSKSearch function with the word complementary. A list of relevant databases will appear under the DATABASES section on the next page.